Oscar winner Mahershala Ali (Green Book) returns to the big screen in writer-director Bassam Tariq’s (Mogul Mowgli) Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother. At this year’s Toronto International Film Festival, where the movie world-premiered, Collider’s Steve Weintraub had the chance to sit down with Ali, Tariq, and the cast to discuss the making of their near-perfect action-packed crime drama.

Set in Texas, Ali plays Latif, a devout Muslim and loving family man who also just so happens to be a contract killer with a strict code. As a rule, Latif never uses guns, and he only kills those the world would be better off without. When the unthinkable happens, and Latif’s wife passes away, he’s ready to move on from his violent past and focus on raising his three children. Unfortunately, his employer, Mike (Laith Nakli), isn’t keen on this idea, and suddenly Latif finds himself in a perilous race across Houston to outrun the forces surrounding him and protect his family. The movie also stars John Cho (Searching), Giancarlo Esposito (Captain America: Brave New World), and Tramell Tillman (Spider-Man: Brand New Day).

Tariq, Ali, Cho, Adia, and Esposito stop by the Collider Media Studio, presented by Campari and The Cayman Islands, where they discuss the visual language of the film, the inspirations Tariq drew from, Adia’s first feature, and the importance of trusting a director and their vision. Ali also digs into Latif’s emotional complexities and discusses performing his own stunts and overcoming physical challenges on set.

Mahershala Ali Takes on His Most Intense Action Role Yet

“I hadn’t had a chance to do that. I’ve always wanted to do that.”

Image via Amazon MGM

For Ali, audiences have seen what he can deliver on screen dramatically. Early in his career, the actor was awarded one of the industry’s highest achievements and has gone on to work on many high-profile projects, including The Hunger Games franchise, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, the Jurassic World films, and was set to lead his own MCU feature that fans were eager to see.

Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother offers Ali a career first, however. When asked about the scenes they were most anxious about filming on set, or most excited to tackle, Ali highlighted the movie’s climax.

“For the first time ever, the scene I was most concerned with was our climactic action scene, because we had very limited time in terms of our rehearsal and preparation for what this film is and was. I know the audience doesn’t care about how much time you have; they just expect it to be done in a way that is excellent. Considering the epic nature of the fight and the time and lack thereof, and even if we had time, I would still have a certain type of nervousness around it, and it was around all the action sequences, but that particular fight and action sequence, we knew it was a big task, and you just don’t know.

It’s one thing for the director to do his job, but then those fights are almost a separate piece that have to be covered as best as the director and cinematographer can cover, but it’s really someone’s coming in and choreographing this thing, and it’s like your heart is outside of your body a little bit.”

Advertisement

Bassam interjects to clarify that Ali isn’t stepping back for those action-packed sequences, either. “That was also Mahershala. That was him doing all the stunts, because his face is in it. He’s got to be doing all the stuff.” He continues, “We couldn’t just ever just be like, ‘Use a double there.’ No, this is him. So he’s got to not just also perform every day in these really intense, dramatic scenes, but he’s also got all these action scenes.”

In response, Ali explains:

“That was unfamiliar to me. I hadn’t had a chance to do that. I’ve always wanted to do that, especially as a former athlete, but I had never really had that opportunity in that way. And so I think that that moment going into it and going, ‘When are we going to rehearse this, Bassam? When are we gonna rehearse this in between takes?’ So, it was that type of thing. And I’m very proud of what all involved were able to achieve in making this film.”

Check out all of this and more in the video above, with time codes provided below.

• 00:35 – The team shares their favorite movie theater spots and why.
• 03:57 – Giancarlo Esposito shares his meditative pre-scene ritual.
• 05:00 – Bassam Tariq shares his inspiration for Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother.
• 05:34 – Tariq discusses the visual language of the film, drawing on spiritual westerns, samurai movies, and the vibrant colors of Muslim culture.
• 06:52 – Mahershala Ali reflects on Tariq’s script and the collaborative effort required to bring its world to life.
• 08:50 – Adia shares her experience making her first feature.
• 09:45 – Esposito describes the importance of trusting a director and allowing performances to flow naturally.
• 11:58 – Cho recalls how the opening pages of the script immediately drew him into the story.
• 13:20 – Adia reflects on the masterclass of working alongside experienced actors and honoring her own process.
• 16:09 – Ali discusses Latif’s emotional complexities as a character.
• 18:15 – Esposito says every day on set required him to remain open and present.
• 20:08 – Adia describes the anticipation surrounding her character’s climactic scene.
• 20:46 – Cho recalls the pressure of filming his character’s introduction.
• 21:53 – Filming the final scene on the last day was challenging.
• 22:35 – Ali reflects on the scenes that intimidated him and performing his own stunts.

Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother opens in select theaters on September 25 and releases nationwide on October 9.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Release Date

September 25, 2026

Runtime

Advertisement

112 minutes

Director

Bassam Tariq

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

The 1990s are widely considered the most transformative decade for video games in history, and for good reason. The shift from 2D to 3D, the arrival of optical discs, the birth of all-new genres, the arrival of far more complex stories… The list of reasons why the ’90s saw video gaming completely transform into a proper art form are pretty much endless. And as such, it should come as no surprise that several games from this decade are now considered classics.

The number of video games from the ’90s worthy of the “classic” label are too many to count, but there are ten in particular that have gone down in history as some of the most essential, influential, and impactful games in the medium’s history. From handheld RPGs like Pokémon Red and Blue to fighting game essentials like Street Fighter II: The World Warrior, the biggest classic games of the ’90s are a testament to how much the medium has evolved since its inception.

10

‘Pokémon Red and Blue’ (1996)

Image via Nintendo

Nowadays, the Pokémon multimedia franchise is easily one of the most gargantuan and essential pillars of modern pop culture. Even history’s greatest giants have to start somewhere, though, and in the case if Pokémon, that was Pokémon Red Version and Pokémon Blue Version. Published by Nintendo for the Game Boy in 1996, these have since aged as two of the best ’90s video games worth playing over and over.

Indeed, far from only being essential because of their historical importance, Pokémon Red and Blue are still incredibly entertaining and highly replayable. They helped establish core RPG mechanics and gameplay loops, have some of the best world-building in the series, and single-handedly launched the global phenomenon that this franchise has since become.

Image via Konami

Advertisement

The racing platformer Penguin Adventure was technically the world’s introduction to Japanese video game creator Hideo Kojima, but it was the quiet success that was 1987’s Metal Gear that showed the world they were in the presence of a master who would soon become one of video game development’s first true auteurs. However, it wouldn’t be until the third mainline installment in the series, Metal Gear Solid, that Kojima would truly cement his status as a bona fide genius.

Far and away one of the best video games of 1998, Metal Gear Solid was one of the first games to fully push the video gaming medium into the territory of genuine art. Never before had gamers experienced a title that felt this potently cinematic and radically experimental, and those experiments were so successful that the game has somehow aged like fine wine since its release.

8

‘Super Mario World’ (1990)

Image via Nintendo

Advertisement

Nintendo really kicked things off on the right foot in the ’90s, publishing Super Mario World for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in Japan in 1990. The Super Mario Bros. franchise had already established itself as something really special going into the ’90s, with World only further proving that this series of platformers was sure to remain a mainstay of the gaming industry for the foreseeable future.

Over three decades later, Super Mario World is still seen as one of the most beloved Nintendo classics from the 20th century, one of those Mario Bros. games that are perfect throughout. Seen by many as the absolute peak of the 2D side-scrolling genre, this groundbreaking SNES launch title may not have radically altered what Mario had to offer, but it sure did perfect the formula in ways whose influence can still be felt across the entire genre to this day.

7

‘Final Fantasy VII’ (1997)

Image via Square

Advertisement

The Final Fantasy franchise was a massive, unbelievably impactful game series from the very start, but Final Fantasy VII was an undeniable watershed moment in the franchise’s history, as well as a defining milestone for the entire video game industry. Almost three decades and one massive three-game remake project later, this is still generally remembered as one of the best JRPGs of all time.

Released on three CD-ROMs for the original PlayStation, the game not only shattered regional boundaries by becoming an international success, but also proved that story-driven games could hold just as much power as any film or TV show. It proved that Western audiences craved the sort of RPG experiences that Japan had to offer, as well as highly cinematic games and bold storytelling. For that and many more reasons, it’s a real must-play classic.

6

‘Street Fighter II: The World Warrior’ (1991)

Image via Capcom

Advertisement

The franchise today is as mainstream as they come, which makes it easy to forget that the original Street Fighter was a commercial disappointment back in 1987. On the other hand, its sequel, Street Fighter II: The World Warrior, became the best-selling game since the Golden Age of arcade video games. When the game came out on SNES, it became Capcom’s best-selling software game for the next two decades.

All this record-breaking would be worth nothing if Street Fighter II didn’t actually have any staying power, though. However, the game continues to be remembered as one of the best video game masterpieces of the 1990s, having helped lay the groundwork for modern esports and revitalize the global arcade industry while it was going through a steep decline. Indeed, the game was absolutely revolutionary back in 1991, and it’s still just as entertaining and iconic all these many years later.

5

‘GoldenEye 007’ (1997)

Image via Rare

Advertisement

By the time Pierce Brosnan entered his tenure as James Bond, the 007 film franchise was already well-established as one of the most popular and iconic action film franchises on the planet. As such, it’s no shocker that the series eventually made the jump to game consoles. Based on GoldenEye, Brosnan’s first movie as Bond, the Nintendo 64’s GoldenEye 007 is nothing short of one of the best FPS games of all time.

The game, which was originally conceived as a side-scrolling platformer for the SNES, eventually evolved into one of the most groundbreaking 3D shooters of the 20th century. Developed by a small team of rookie creators, it proved that shooters could work on console just as well as on PC. Unique level design, pioneering stealth mechanics, and revolutionary couch multiplayer all made it jaw-droppingly modern back in 1997; and almost 30 years later, it’s still worth playing for hours on end.

4

‘Chrono Trigger’ (1995)

Image via Square

Developer and publisher Square had such immense faith in Chrono Trigger that they had their development team led by a trio of designers they dubbed the “Dream Team”: Hironobu Sakaguchi, creator of Final Fantasy; Yuji Horii, creator of Dragon Quest; and Akira Toriyama, author of the Dragon Ball manga series. The end result was a tremendous critical and commercial success, and many continue to deem it one of the greatest video games ever made.

Indeed, far from just being one of the best JRPGs in history or one of the best turn-based RPG games ever, it was a massively innovative game that introduced revolutionary elements to the RPG genre which changed it forever. A masterclass in tight, impactful storytelling, zero-fluff game design, and 16-bit 2D spite artistry, it’s one of the most essential video game classics that anyone who loves the medium should play at least once.

3

‘Doom’ (1993)

Image via id Software

There is arguably no shooter video game more impactful, foundational, or influential than Doom, the third major independent release by developer and publisher id Software. It was a critical and commercial success upon release, but it’s the ever-lasting impact that it has continued to have over the decades that has truly enshrined it as one of the most crucial works of the video game canon.

It is, indeed, one of the most influential video games of the 20th century, and then some. Fundamentally birthing modern multiplayer culture, establishing the PC as the ultimate gaming powerhouse, and embracing modding culture were but a few of the contributions that Doom had—and has continued to have—within the gaming space. With its being playable pretty much anywhere and everywhere with a screen and a processor, there’s no excuse for anyone who calls themselves a gamer to say that they’ve never played Doom.

2

‘Super Mario 64’ (1996)

Image via Nintendo

Super Mario 64 did not invent 3D gaming, but it did completely revolutionize how 3D games were played and designed. By pairing 360-degree analog joystick movement with a moving camera and some of the smoothest controls the industry had ever seen, Nintendo didn’t just change the course of the Mario franchise going forward, but of the entire gaming industry as a whole.

There are plenty of Nintendo games that are amazing from start to finish, including several from the 1990s, but remarkably few are even remotely as important or foundational as Mario 64. The game still plays surprisingly nicely considering that it truly was the very first of its kind, and that’s why it’s one of the biggest and most iconic classics in the history of video games.

1

‘The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time’ (1998)

Image via Nintendo

The Legend of Zelda became one of Nintendo’s biggest franchises pretty much right away, but it would be its transition into 3D that would fully cement it as one of the most essential classic franchises in the history of video games. In the eyes of many, Ocarina of Time, the game that took Zelda into the 3D realm, is something akin to the Citizen Kane of video games. At least as far as the ’90s—and, arguably, the entire 20th century—go, it doesn’t get much pop-culturally significant than this.

Arguably the most essential Nintendo game that every fan of gaming has to play at least once in their lives, Ocarina of Time is a classic unlike anything else that any video game console has ever seen. It’s the definitive gold standard for foundational action-adventure game design, thanks to its invention of many a modern 3D action mechanic and its masterclass in atmospheric world-building and storytelling. Even to this day, it’s still a must-play cornerstone of video gaming history.

Comedic murder mystery series seem like an odd concept at first, but the niche genre is gaining ground. From Only Murders in the Building to The Afterparty, each series has its own twist, including the often-forgotten Netflix series, The Residence. The 2025 series combines Only Murders in the Building‘s quirky characters and humorous mystery with The West Wing‘s focus on daily life in the White House. But instead of exploring the President’s senior staff, The Residence offers an upstairs-downstairs twist with a behind-the-scenes look at the White House from the kitchens to the basement.

The series isn’t especially long, with only one season, and after its swift cancellation, there won’t be another installment. However, in just eight episodes, it slowly unravels a mysterious death that no ordinary detective could solve. With unique characters and constant surprises, The Residence does not disappoint. This hilarious, unpredictable Netflix series is the perfect binge-watch for all fans of murder mysteries.

‘The Residence’ Explores a Shocking Mystery

The Residence centers on the death of White House Chief Usher A. B. Wynter (Giancarlo Esposito), which occurs during a state dinner honoring the Australian Prime Minister. However, the series splits its time between the investigation and the following congressional hearing held to address the incident. When the long-serving staff member is found dead, all evidence points to a suicide, and the President’s Chief Advisor, Harry Hollinger (Ken Marino), is eager to have the detectives declare that to be the case and move on, but not everyone is as confident. This is when eccentric consulting detective Cordelia Cupp (Uzo Aduba) gets involved. Throughout the investigation, Detective Cupp doesn’t follow the expected method, but she is effective.

Dragging the reluctant FBI Special Agent Edwin Park (Randall Park) behind her, Cupp has Wynter’s second-in-command, Jasmine (Susan Kelechi Watson), guide her around the White House. Cupp quickly realizes there is much more to the story, declaring that Wynter’s body has been moved and that he wears a bloody shirt that isn’t his own. These oddities push her investigation forward and cast doubt on the initial theory. Cupp uncovers several strange events happening that night as she questions everyone who interacted with Wynter, from the President’s family to the pastry chef. Slowly, Cupp pieces together the complicated truth, but the investigation is routinely interrupted by flash-forwards to the congressional hearing, where the characters are as invested in the story as the audience. The mystery includes shocking twists that will keep the audience guessing until the very end.

The Characters Set ‘The Residence’ Apart

While The Residence‘s mystery is its defining feature, the series works because of its characters. Cupp collects over 100 suspects from those present that night, but only a few stand out. Ranging from a temperamental chef to the President’s screw-up brother, Cupp’s list creates a quirky group to focus on, and that is what makes the series so hilarious. Despite the gravity of the situation, these characters constantly make the audience laugh with their antics and confessions. Yet, the suspects also amplify the mystery, adding ambiguity to the series. With reasons like Harry’s desperation to wrap up the investigation, Jasmine’s interest in Wynter’s position, or Sheila Cannon’s (Edwina Findley) drunken expectation that Wynter will fire her, each seems more guilty than the last, making the mystery difficult to solve.

Each character adds to the comedy with their desperation to cover up unrelated secrets and overdramatic reactions, but none compare to Cordelia Cupp herself. Though a renowned detective, Cupp rarely explains herself, and as she sees things others miss, her moves often confuse those around her and those in the hearing. In addition to her investigative skill, Cupp’s passion for birdwatching makes her a unique hero for the series. Ultimately, The Residence isn’t long, only releasing one season before Netflix cancelled the show, but it does wrap up the mystery of Wynter’s death. While it is disappointing that fans will not see more of Cupp’s cases, this ending turns the shocking mystery into a perfect binge-watch.

The Residence is streaming on Netflix in the U.S.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Release Date

2025 – 2025-00-00

Advertisement

Network

Netflix

Writers

Advertisement

Paul William Davies

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Mikayla Matthews is standing by her decision to leave The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.

After Taylor Frankie Paul seemingly announced her exit from the hit Hulu reality show on Monday, September 21, Mikayla, 26, responded to fans asking whether she’d return to filming. Mikayla previously cited Taylor’s return for season 6 as the main reason she left the series.

“To answer your question… No, I will not be coming back,” Mikayla shared alongside a mirror selfie posted via her Instagram Stories on Monday.

She continued, “Everyone has to do what’s best for them, and I was the only one who chose to leave the show due to MANY reasons and, of course, the recent news a couple weeks ago.”

“I feel like I took my concerns to the right people and went out of my way over and over again to try to address them. There are so many things wrong with this situation. Because of one person’s actions but also because of the way everything was handled after,” Mikayla wrote.

“Those concerns haven’t changed and neither has my decision right now,” she concluded. “Don’t know what the future holds, but I think we can collectively agree that a lot of changes need to be made.”

Mikayla announced her exit from Mormon Wives on September 14, citing concerns about Taylor, 32, rejoining the cast amid her ongoing custody disputes with her ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen and ex-husband Tate Paul. (Taylor shares son Ever, 2, with Dakota and daughter Indy, 9, and son Ocean, 6, with Tate.)

On Monday, Taylor seemingly confirmed her own exit from the show and called out her costars over alleged online bullying.

Thank You!

You have successfully subscribed.

Advertisement

“My gratitude goes to all the networks that supported me throughout this and gave me the chance to return. However, I don’t desire to move forward like this,” the reality star wrote via Instagram. “I originally was willing to be removed to let them all continue on with less stress, and I’m back to that point.”

She continued, “Some of the girls know what I’ve been through and then to turn and collectively pile on with their ‘statements’ knowing there has been ongoing abuse through the system the last 8 months on top of what I’ve endured. Almost the entire cast plus some, going at me….laughing about my kids is disgusting. I bit my tongue there.”

“I agree it’s to the point of bullying for months now. What makes it harder to take in is some of these parents have made mistakes that would result in the same judgement I’m receiving yet pointing a finger,” Taylor claimed. “However, it’s a pleasure to remove myself so they can continue, because I’ve almost convinced myself I’m deserving of all this pain and to a certain degree absolutely this is consequences of my actions. My question has been how much suffering and scrutiny is going to be enough…I’m just relieved to be out.”

It’s not an easy job saving the world through the power of K-pop. And sadly, it’s not a one and done for the people involved. We say sadly, just because they might need a rest. Not us, though. We want more KPop Demon Hunters, the Honmoon isn’t going to protect itself, and somebody needs to make sure Derpy Tiger is doing okay. Netflix has announced the newest Kpop Demon Hunters project at last, and HUNTR/X aren’t going into battle alone.

Netflix has officially revealed KPop Demon Hunters: The Immersive Experience, a follow-up story set in the world of its record-breaking animated movie that fans can actually be a part of. The experience opens at Netflix House Dallas on November 12 before arriving at Netflix House Philadelphia on November 20.

It’s also not just a lazy money grab. This isn’t the Willy Wonka experience from Scotland that ended up becoming notorious for all the wrong reasons, this actually has its own narrative which begins backstage with HUNTR/X as the group prepares for opening night on the latest stop of its world tour. As you’d expect, though, Gwi-Ma crashes the party and that means the guests need to team up with HUNTR/X on a mission through neon-lit Seoul to restore the Honmoon and “Takedown” the demons.

The experience will include interactive sets, screens, 3D tech, live actors and animation while all guests will complete music and play-based challenges as the story unfolds around them. Basically, watching Rumi, Mira and Zoey save everyone from the comfort of your couch was apparently the tutorial. Marian Lee, Netflix’s Chief Marketing Officer, explained that the idea grew from audiences wanting to do considerably more than simply rewatch the movie:

“Fans don’t just want to watch KPop Demon Hunters, they want to live in the world of HUNTR/X. Netflix House is where fandoms like this get to live year-round, so it’s the perfect home for everything KPop Demon Hunters fans have been asking for. Singing the songs they already know by heart, facing off with demons, hanging out with Derpy Tiger – every detail is built so fans of all ages can feel, hear and see this world exactly the way they imagined it.”

HUNTR/X’s Biggest Songs Are Coming With Them

You can’t really make an immersive KPop Demon Hunters experience and leave the music behind. The entire adventure will play out against songs from the movie’s Grammy and Academy Award-winning soundtrack, including “How It’s Done,” “Soda Pop,” “Golden,” and more.

Both Netflix House locations will introduce new KPop Demon Hunters merchandise alongside the experience, as well as themed food and drinks and exclusive photo opportunities. Netflix says those additions are part of a wider plan to continually refresh its permanent Netflix House locations around whatever audiences are currently obsessed with on screen.

Tickets start at $39, with children’s admission for ages 3-12 beginning at $34. There’s also a VIP package starting at $89 from Monday through Thursday and $99 from Friday through Sunday. That includes all-day access to the Netflix House VIP Lounge, priority entry to the experience during operating hours on the ticketed date, and an exclusive themed gift while supplies last.

KPop Demon Hunters: The Immersive Experience opens November 12 at Netflix House Dallas and November 20 at Netflix House Philadelphia.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Release Date

June 20, 2025

Runtime

96 minutes

Advertisement

Director

Chris Appelhans, Maggie Kang

Advertisement

Writers

Hannah McMechan, Chris Appelhans, Maggie Kang, Danya Jimenez

Producers

Advertisement

Michelle Wong

Advertisement

• 
• 

Advertisement

Advertisement

Shopping for healthy, high-protein snacks can feel harder than it should be. Grocery store shelves might be stocked with a wide array of options, but a closer look can reveal that many of these are ultra-processed and packed with junky ingredients. That’s where Chief Nutrition comes in — the health food brand is offering clean, balanced snacks that taste great and won’t force you to compromise your nutrition goals.

Chief Nutrition, an Australian-based real food company that recently launched in the United States, sells convenient and delicious high-protein snacks. Our favorite part? They offer an impressive ingredient list full of items you can actually pronounce.

Many foods can easily be disguised as healthy options even if they’re packed with less-than-ideal ingredients. Often, we consume highly processed snacks without even realizing it, simply because of the splashy marketing claims on the front of the box. Chief Nutrition stands out because their snacks are made with whole foods for a nourishing, high-protein bite that will leave you feeling satisfied.

Shop high-protein snacks at Chief Nutrition! 

While Chief Nutrition sells several different products, one of our favorite options is the collagen protein bars. These aren’t your average chalky protein bars — they have a nice biscuit-like texture and taste like a candy bar without all of the artificial stuff. No ultra-processed ingredients, artificial sugars, sugar alcohols or seed oils — the bars are sweetened with monk fruit and are gluten-free and dairy-free. Choose from many delicious flavors, including double chocolate, peanut butter and salted caramel.

Another snack worth calling out? The air-dried steak, which is a healthier version of traditional beef jerky. It’s made with grass-fed, grass-finished, regeneratively farmed beef, which is then slowly air-dried rather than heat-treated like conventional jerky. There are no added nitrates or nitrites, no MSG and no sugar included. And with flavors like steakhouse, lemon pepper and carnivore, you’ll keep coming back for more.

If you’re looking for clean, high-protein snacks, Chief Nutrition is one brand you absolutely need to try. The best part: we have a discount code that will allow you to test out some snacks for less. Use code REAL10 for 10% off a purchase* of two or more products. Happy snacking!

Shop high-protein snacks at Chief Nutrition! 

*If used on a subscription, the code is only valid for the first month. Offer valid until 12/31/2026 11:59PM (EDT).

Jalen Brunson is just days away from hosting the season premiere of Saturday Night Live, but the New York Knicks star admits he might be in over his head.

Brunson, 30, appeared on Tamron Hall on Monday, September 21, alongside his parents, Knicks assistant coach Rick Brunson and Sandra Brunson, where he was asked if he was prepared for everything the NBC late night staple would throw at him.

“Probably not,” he responded. “I’m being honest with you: I have no idea what I’m walking into, but I know it’s going to turn out great.”

Hall, 56, pushed the 2026 NBA Finals MVP a little further, asking if he planned to sing during his opening monologue.

Related: Jalen Brunson Talks Taylor Swift Wedding at MSG, Controversy About Fandom

New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson joked that his team’s miraculous NBA Championship run might have played a role in Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce picking Madison Square Garden as their wedding venue.  “Maybe. Maybe,” Brunson, 29, said last week at Variety’s inaugural Sports & Entertainment Studio in New York. “But knowing how weddings work, […]

“Um,” Jalen hesitated, pretending to think about it, before bluntly saying, “No.”

But not all hope is lost for fans hoping Jalen showcases some of his other talents. Asked if he would dance, he replied, “I’m not gonna say no to that. Maybe.”

Jalen is scheduled to host SNL on Saturday, September 26, alongside musical guest KATSEYE. He will become the first member of the Knicks to ever host the iconic show, set to begin its 52nd season. He will also join Bill Russell, Michael Jordan, LeBron James and Charles Barkley as the only NBA players ever to earn the honor.

Though Jalen is new to sketch comedy, SNL alum and native New Yorker Pete Davidson does not seem worried about the point guard’s performance. Hall introduced a short video from the diehard Knicks fan, who expressed plenty of confidence in the man who helped his team break a 53-year title drought.

Advertisement

Related: Jalen Brunson Dodges Question About Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce Wedding

New York Knicks player Jalen Brunson is trying his best to stay out of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s love story. During an appearance on Today With Jenna & Sheinelle, host Jenna Bush Hager asked the newly crowned NBA champion whether Madison Square Garden could make a great wedding venue for the couple. “Great venue,” […]

“Jalen does not need any advice from me,” Davidson, 32, said. “He is New York royalty forever, he’s really funny and his podcast is great. He’s going to do great. I’m very excited for him.”

Jalen cohosts “The Roommates Show” alongside Knicks teammate and fellow Villanova alum Josh Hart, as well as longtime friend Matt Hillman.

And even if Davidson wasn’t as confident in Jalen’s ability to host SNL, Jalen has a knack for proving the doubters wrong. First, he fell to the second round in the 2018 NBA Draft, with many analysts believing that at 6-foot-2, he was too small to be an effective NBA point guard.

Thank You!

You have successfully subscribed.

Advertisement

Related: Jalen Brunson’s Wife Gushes Over His Relationship With Mariska Hargitay

New York Knicks superstar Jalen Brunson’s wife, Ali Brunson, is a huge supporter of her husband’s friendship with Mariska Hargitay — and who isn’t? “I really love it. It’s captain meets captain,” Ali, 30, told Us Weekly exclusively while promoting her partnership with Reese’s Oreo. “I know that’s so cheesy.” Jalen, 29, is captain of […]

Then, as the Knicks made their way through the 2026 playoffs, Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon doubled down on a comment she made years earlier that a team can’t win a championship with a go-to player of his size.

Jalen was undaunted.

“I didn’t respond to them then and I’m damn sure not going to respond to them now,” he said of his critics in June after the Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs to win the NBA Championship.

It has become increasingly apparent that the modern era of filmmaking has been defined by the rise and dominance of streaming services and the original content that they provide. Netflix has especially been at the forefront of this endeavor, producing many original films from a variety of genres compared to other services. Netflix has especially excelled in animation, a medium that is largely overlooked by other platforms like Amazon and Max.

Netflix has quickly risen through the ranks as one of the best modern platforms for exciting and original animated films from different creative and distinct filmmaker voices. With additions to larger franchises like The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf or a distinct cinematic vision that stands on its own, like Nimona, Netflix is by and large one of the best platforms for animated films in the streaming era. Fans on Letterboxd have anointed these movies as Netflix’s best offerings in animation, further cementing the streaming service’s place as the leader in the pack.

15

‘The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf’ (2021)

Letterboxd Average Rating: 3.47/5

Image via Netflix

Acting as an animated prequel spin-off to the successful Witcher series on Netflix, The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf tells the origin story of Vesemir, a fellow witcher and mentor to Geralt. As Vesemir escapes from his life of poverty into the treacherous and adventurous life of a witcher, he is forced to slay monsters and villains for coin and glory as he travels the world for answers. His new life is soon put to a halt when a new terror arrives, forcing him to face the dread of his past head-on.

Nightmare of the Wolf features a lot of the same writing, storytelling, and worldbuilding that made The Witcher one of the best fantasy series in recent years, yet only amplified by the exceptional 2D animated action on display. Its story also works wonders as a standalone story, not requiring any prior knowledge of the franchise to be able to fully enjoy its fantasy elements and story of self-growth. Many fans even consider this film to be better than the actual Witcher series, as well as more faithful to the messages of the original novels.

14

‘KPop Demon Hunters’ (2025)

Letterboxd Average Rating: 3.53/5

Image via Netflix

Easily the most immediately recognizable and successful animated film that Netflix has ever released, it may seem surprising that KPop Demon Hunters‘s complete cultural domination has not resulted in it completely dominating this ranking. While the film is still absolutely loved by a passionate fanbase on Letterboxd, its massive popularity has also drawn the eyes of more detractors to the film, with its biggest fans and biggest haters balancing out into a score that, while still respectable, isn’t among the top of this list.

Still, the global passion and distinct strengths that allowed KPop Demon Hunters to soar into becoming Netflix’s most-watched movie cannot be ignored. The animation is incredibly upbeat and exhilarating to watch, the music ranges from catchy to emotional and hits all the right beats, and the core story of K-pop stars fighting against demons is just a lot of fun to watch. With a sequel already announced, the stature and legacy of this film is already secure, whether or not it has an extremely high rating on Letterboxd.

13

‘Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie’ (2022)

Letterboxd Average Rating: 3.60/5

Image via Nickelodeon

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have seen a wide variety of different renditions and reboots over the years, ranging from certified classics like the live-action ’80s movies to new hits like Mutant Mayhem. However, Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie has quickly risen to be a fan favorite among fans of the turtles, with its focus on flashy 2D animation providing the best action in the entire franchise. Continuing the Nickelodeon series, the film sees a young time traveler from the future sent to the present day to warn the turtles of an impending alien threat.

Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie finds the perfect balance between action, comedy, and charm that has made the film such a smash hit among not only fans but critics as well. High-octane 2D animation is a continued rarity in the modern era of feature-length animation, with this film’s glorious spectacle and use of 2D animation being some of the best of recent years. Even though it comes from a television series, Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie goes to considerable lengths to be unique and is a must-watch for all Turtles fans, even those who missed out on the original series.

12

‘Apollo 10 ½: A Space Age Childhood’ (2021)

Letterboxd Average Rating: 3.64/5

Image via Netflix

Acclaimed director Richard Linklater has proven himself to be a master of nostalgic, humanist filmmaking who can tap into the very essence of human nature and the beauty inherent to the simplicities of life. This is most effectively seen within his most recent animated work, Apollo 10 ½: A Space Age Childhood, the director’s third rotoscoped animated film after A Scanner Darkly and Waking Life. The film follows one man’s reminiscence and trip down memory lane to his childhood in 1969, during the height of the space race, and how he was invited to travel to the moon as a 10-year-old a month before Apollo 11.

While the exceptional rotoscope visuals are a clear highlight that helps carve out a signature identity for the film, the major staying power and strengths of A Space Age Childhood come from Linklater’s signature humanist storytelling. The film acts like a direct look into the past, complete with charm and whimsy, blemishes and all, for the era, with an inherent love and respect for the generations of the past. The film accomplishes the seemingly impossible by having audiences feel nostalgic for an era they never lived through.

11

‘Ultraman: Rising’ (2024)

Letterboxd Average Rating: 3.73/5

Image via Netflix

Ultraman has been one of the most prominent and beloved superhero properties to come from Japan, with a multitude of memorable installments and beloved stories gracing multiple mediums over the years. Ultraman: Rising proves to be one of the series’ finest moments when it comes to crossing over the cultural barrier and becoming a major hit not just in Japan but across the entire world. The film follows a young athlete who, after taking on the Ultraman mantle, is tasked with protecting a young kaiju baby from a government that wants to destroy it.

Ultraman: Rising finds the perfect balance between being a love letter to long-time fans while also evolving the character to new heights, creating an accessible story for those who have never heard of him. The film features breathtaking animated fight sequences that make the most out of modern animation, with colorful visuals and striking set pieces that live up to the legacy of Ultraman.

10

‘Invader Zim: Enter the Florpus’ (2019)

Letterboxd Average Rating: 3.75/5

Image via Netflix

One of a trio of legacy movies made for classic Nicktoons that was released on Netflix, Invader Zim: Enter the Florpus brings back the cult classic sci-fi animated series as if it never left. The film follows Zim undergoing a depressive episode after hearing that his leaders, the Almighty Tallest, never had any intentions of traveling to Earth for an invasion. His wallowing ends up catching his rival, Dib, off guard as Zim hatches up a new plan to get Earth in the path of the Almighty Tallest.

Invader Zim has a signature style of darkness and chaotic, absurdist humor, helping it become a fan favorite among the 2000s Nicktoons. Enter the Florpus recaptures that signature approach, amplifying these facets to a cinematic scale and scope and acting as a perfect sendoff and love letter to the series and fans. Even for those who haven’t seen Invader Zim, the film has an infectious manic energy that makes it hard not to have a great time while watching.

9

‘The Mitchells vs. the Machines’ (2021)

Letterboxd Average Rating: 3.82/5

Image via Netflix

Originally planned to have a theatrical release under Sony, The Mitchells vs. the Machines eventually found itself being distributed as a Netflix original film following the COVID pandemic and major shift to streaming services. The film follows the titular Mitchell family, who, while on a road trip to drop off eldest daughter Katie Mitchell at college, end up being the last remaining humans during an AI robot uprising. They are now the unlikely last hope for humanity and must find a way to stop the robot takeover.

The Mitchells vs. the Machines is one of the most beloved and successful projects from producers Phil Lord and Chris Miller, with the same quirky style of humor and stylized animation that has made their recent works such a hit. The film acts as a beautiful love letter to the chaos and creation that happen during youth, slinging everything against the wall and simply having fun with making things, no matter how weird. It also tackles an “anti-technology” message with a more nuanced and intelligent take from its contemporaries, helping it become one of the most acclaimed animated films of recent memory.

8

‘Cosmic Princess Kaguya!’ (2026)

Letterboxd Average Rating: 3.82/5

Image via Netflix

A high-energy modern rendition of the classic Japanese folktale, Cosmic Princess Kaguya combines dazzling colors, idol music, and an intimate female relationship to create an experience that has massively connected with worldwide audiences. The film follows the unlikely relationship that blossoms between high school student Iroha Sakayori and the titular Kaguya, a girl from the moon. Together, the duo compete in an online streamer tournament and perform musical numbers in the virtual world, with their bond growing stronger as they sing together.

Cosmic Princess Kaguya, more than most other modern idol anime, taps into the signature charms and culture of online Japanese media in a way that overwhelmingly helps the film connect with its audience. More than simply referencing and paying tribute to this culture, it positions said culture at the very core of the film, using the raw passion for anime culture and streamer culture to create a tailored love letter to this dedicated audience. As such, the film has seen a massive wave of support and passion from said audience, leading to its prominent high rating on sites like Letterboxd.

7

‘Entergalactic’ (2022)

Letterboxd Average Rating: 3.82/5

Image Via Netflix

Largely following in the massive trend of stylized animation set by films like Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and the previously mentioned Mitchells vs. the Machines, Entergalactic utilizes this beautiful animation to create a one-of-a-kind musical romcom experience. This visual companion piece to Kid Cudi‘s album of the same name follows the charming romance that begins to blossom between artist Jabari (Cudi) and his next-door neighbor, Meadow (Jessica Williams).

With the story beats and flow of the film largely set to the passion and emotions of Cudi’s music, Entergalactic is a beautiful combination of visual and audio mediums to create a one-of-a-kind experience unlike any other animated film on Netflix. What truly makes the film special is that it works tremendously well as its own standalone experience, as the core romance has enough chemistry and passion to work wonders, even without the masterful animation and emotional music.

6

‘Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl’ (2024)

Letterboxd Average Rating: 3.83/5

Image Via Netflix

The quirky British stop-motion duo of Wallace & Gromit have been at the forefront of animation brilliance ever since their initial short film in 1989. Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl shows that the inherent charms of the duo are as effective as ever, as this modern evolution of the characters taps into the signature strengths that have made them cultural icons for decades. While it may not have as high a rating compared to other Wallace & Gromit stories on Letterboxd, it has still undeniably cemented itself as a prominent and well-suited chapter in this legendary franchise.

The film sees the classic duo facing a deadly enemy from their past, Feathers McGraw, as he makes use of Wallace’s latest smart gnome invention to wreak havoc on the town and create a divide between Wallace & Gromit. Vengeance Most Fowl features the same sense of timeless, slapstick humor mixed with quaint dialogue that makes these characters so lovable.

The ongoing controversy involving Ed Sheeran, Macklemore, and Robert Kraft took a satirical turn over the weekend when “Saturday Night Live UK” delivered brutal jabs at all three.

On the show’s “Weekend Update” segment, presenters Ania Magliano and Paddy Young mocked Kraft as a “wealthy corpsemaxxer” while calling Macklemore a “good guy with bad music.”

Meanwhile, Sheeran returned to the stage on Saturday in Philadelphia, but photos circulating on social media appeared to show rows of empty seats.

‘SNL UK’ Takes Aim At Ed Sheeran’s Tour Controversy

“Saturday Night Live UK” pulled no punches in a Sept. 20 segment about the controversy surrounding Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour, targeting Robert Kraft with sharp-witted jokes that quickly circulated on social media.

The controversy began after rapper Macklemore called for a “Free Palestine” during his opening set on Sheeran’s tour a couple of weeks ago.

He was subsequently dropped from the tour after several venue owners reportedly refused to let him perform at their stadiums. In a later statement, Macklemore said Sheeran had told him that Kraft rallied the other owners against his continued involvement.

During the show’s news recap, host Ania Magliano opened by joking that the Israel-Palestine conflict “just got serious” because of the controversy involving the artists.

Robert Kraft Gets The ‘Wealthy Corpsemaxxer’ Treatment

3

Magliano went on to explain how the “Shape Of You” singer was under pressure to cancel his tour, joking that the controversy was the worst thing to happen to his fans “since their head injury.”

Calling Macklemore the “good guy with bad music,” she recounted his removal from the tour at Kraft’s request as the billionaire’s picture appeared onscreen. She joked that it showed him “picking a coffin.”

Co-host Paddy Young took over, calling the 85-year-old a “wealthy corpsemaxxer” with a “checkered past.” Kraft was charged with two misdemeanor counts of soliciting prostitution in February 2019. Prosecutors dropped the charges in September 2020.

Young also took aim at Sheeran, showing a photo of the singer and joking about his eyes as he described him as “looking at both sides of the issue.”

He then noted the “Perfect” singer’s longstanding support for Ukraine, quipping that Sheeran was a passionate advocate of “causes that are allowed.”

Ed Sheeran Apologizes For ‘Mistakes’ Amid Tour Fallout

Meanwhile, Sheeran continued to face intense criticism after Macklemore was dropped from the tour.

He returned to the stage on Saturday, Sept. 19, in Philadelphia, where he addressed the situation and apologized to fans for making “mistakes,” per the BBC.

“I never wanted to be an activist musician, but this has put me in the middle of an important and passionate argument about free speech and the most complex political issue on the planet,” Sheeran told the crowd.

The British singer noted that he was used to criticism. However, he said the events of recent weeks “were about something much more important, and I’ve had to take and make difficult decisions – and I am making mistakes – and I’m so, so sorry.”

Sheeran Calls Gaza Conflict ‘Unjustifiable’

3

The “Perfect Duet” singer also clarified his position, describing the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks as “horrific” and the conflict in Gaza as “unjustifiable.”

“My heart has been broken by the scale of devastation and loss of civilian lives, of children’s lives, and this systemic injustice we’re seeing unfold in the West Bank cannot be overlooked,” he continued.

Sheeran said he was still exploring ways to help victims of the conflict while acknowledging gaps in his understanding of the situation.

Visibly moved to tears, he added that his concert was “still a place where everyone is welcome, and everyone here can stand beside people that have opposing views.”

Protesters Gather Outside Sheeran’s Philadelphia Show

3

Although the show went ahead as scheduled, the controversy remained a focal point outside the venue.

Pro-Palestinian protesters gathered to criticize Macklemore’s removal and urge Sheeran to take a stronger stand on the Israel-Gaza conflict, per the BBC.

Protest messages appeared on placards and merchandise, including a red baseball cap modeled after President Donald Trump’s “Make America Great Again” hat. Its message read, “Make Palestine Free Again.”

Tickets also remained available in the hours before the show began.

Prince Harry opened up about how he cheered up his two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, as they embark on a new school year following the family’s U.K. move.

“At breakfast this morning, they had a bit of Monday morning blues,” Harry, 42, told Hello! before the 2026 WellChild Awards at London’s Royal Lancaster Hotel on Monday, September 21. “There’s always something like Sunday night blues or boarding school… when you’ve been away, or before you go to school.”

The Duke of Sussex added that he managed to cheer up his kids by sharing that he would be attending the WellChild Awards — a charity ceremony held annually to honor those who provide support and care for seriously ill children in the U.K. as well as the kids themselves.

“At breakfast this morning, I decided, ‘You know what? You’re being a little bit tricky, so I’m going to tell you exactly what I’m doing tonight,’” he revealed. “And they were genuinely fascinated and asking all sorts of questions. So, like with all of my work and their mum’s work as well, whatever we can do to try to instill some of that awareness, I think is absolutely crucial.”

Harry — who has been a patron of WellChild since 2007 — added that his dedication to the charity has only increased since he became a dad. (Harry and wife Meghan Markle welcomed Archie in May 2019 and his sister Lilibet arrived in June 2021.)

“Once you become a parent, it does change everything. It’s not the fact that for all the years that I wasn’t a parent that meeting the kids didn’t matter as much, but you suddenly realise how grateful you are to have kids that aren’t sick,” he said.

The prince went on to say, “And again, day in, day out, coming off the back of kids being out [of school] for 11 weeks… but you find yourself going, ‘Wow, in that room with those parents, you really can’t complain about anything.’ Of course, it’s all relative, but the inspiration that I get from these guys — not just the kids, but the parents themselves — it fills me up for a whole year.”

Harry attended the WellChild Awards solo on Monday — just as he did for his first U.K. appearance since moving home at the Invictus Spirit Gala Dinner and Awards in London on September 7. (Meghan, 45, has shared glimpses of her new life in the U.K. via social media but has yet to make any public appearances in an official capacity.)

Thank You!

You have successfully subscribed.

Advertisement

The royal couple arrived in the U.K. late last month in time for their kids to start at a new school — but they soon announced they were switching where Archie and Lilibet will be educated.

“The decision for the children to move school was taken following a discussion with the family’s security team about the practicalities of their current arrangements,” a spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex told Hello! on September 14. “The parents remain extremely grateful to all the teachers and staff for the love, care and effort they have shown their family. This decision should in no way be interpreted as a reflection on the school or the exceptional care the children have received there.”

The Sussexes previously lived on the West Coast in the U.S. for six years after stepping down from their senior royal duties in 2020.